Boot Leg Pants

ABSTRACT

A pair of protective pants that do not bunch up when used with a pair of boots is disclosed. The pair of protective pants comprise a pair of leg portions, a pair of cuffs, and a pair of straps. The pair of cuffs snugly conform to a user&#39;s lower leg and tuck into the boots. The pair of straps loop around the bottom of the user&#39;s foot to prevent any material from riding up the user&#39;s legs.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/715,497 filed Oct. 18, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to a pair of protective pants for usewith a pair of boots, and more particularly to a pair of protectivepants that fit inside a pair of boots without bunching up on a user'sleg when the boots are worn.

BACKGROUND

When pants are worn with boots, an individual may either tuck the pantsinto the boots or tuck the boots into the pants. Pants worn on theoutside of the boots do not protect the leg from the inside lining ofthe boots. However, if the pants are tucked into the boots to protectthe lower legs, the pant legs can easily bunch up along the user's legsand pull out of the boots. When this occurs, the inside of the boots mayrub against the persons exposed skin causing discomfort and evenabrasions or rashes. Additionally, if the individual is in an outdoorenvironment, snow, rain, dirt, and even ticks or other insects may havedirect access to the exposed skin. Outdoor enthusiasts and members ofthe military often wear boots with the pants tucked in to protect themfrom the environment.

When traditional pants bunch up, the individual must either take thetime to tuck the pants back in or risk discomfort or injury. Soldiersand other members of the military may use a blousing ring or similarelastic band to surround the lower pant legs gathering the pant materialfor tucking into a boot. However, these rings and bands require constantreadjustment and are uncomfortable as they tend to cut off circulationto the lower legs. Even with the use of these rings, the user's socksstill tend to slide down to the bottom of the boot increasing thetendency for the user to get blisters.

Consequently, there exists a need for a device designed to provide acomfortable and hassle-free way to tuck pant legs into boots without thepant legs scrunching up or pulling out of the boots. The presentinvention discloses a pair of protective pants that fit into a pair ofboots that will stay in place along the user's legs within the boots.The pair of protective pants may be used with any pair of boots that anindividual would tuck pants into, but is especially useful with bootsdesigned for hunting and fishing where additional protection for theskin is desired.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises a pair of protective pants that tuck into a pair of bootswithout bunching up along a user's legs. The pair of protective pantscomprise a pair of leg portions, a pair of cuffs, and a pair of straps.The pair of cuffs is more formfitting to the user's legs than atraditional pant leg, and is less likely to bunch up. Additionally, thepair of straps encircles the user's feet further keeping the pair ofcuffs and the pair of leg portions in place.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention of the pair ofleg portions extend to below the users knee but just above a top of theboots when worn. The pair of cuffs are attached to the pair of legportions along a seam and extend down into the boots to provide abarrier between the user's skin and an inside lining of the boots. Eachof the pair of straps is attached to an inside of both one of thecorresponding pair of leg portions and pair of cuffs for additionalstability.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects are described herein in connection with thefollowing description and the annexed drawings. These aspects areindicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed hereincan be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended tobe within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of protective pants inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one of a pair of leg portionsof the pair of protective pants of the in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the pair of protective pants inplace on a user's legs in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the pair of protective pantsused with a pair of boots in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsare used to refer to like elements throughout. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It maybe evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate adescription thereof The intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theclaimed subject matter. The invention relates generally to a pair ofprotective pants that will not bunch up on a user's legs when the pairof protective pants are tucked into a pair of boots.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a pair ofprotective pants 100 for use with a pair of boots. Traditional pantsthat that are tucked into boots are bulky and must be folded or bunchedup around the lower leg before being stuffed into the boot. If the pantsare jeans, corduroy, or the like, the material is thick and bulky makingit difficult to fit into the boot. While leaving not tucking the pantsin is an option, it leaves the lower leg vulnerable to discomfort orinjury. Socks provide a partial barrier between the skin of the lowerleg and the boot lining, but there is still a typically gap of exposedskin at the top of the boot not protected from rubbing, the elements,insects, and the like.

The pair of protective pants 100 may comprise modified dungarees,coveralls, overalls, fatigue pants, cargo pants, and the like, or anytype of pants that may be worn with boots. The pair of protective pants100 are ideal for use by hunters, fishermen, outdoor workers, members ofthe military, or anyone wishing to protect their lower legs whilewearing boots. The pair of protective pants 100 are configured so thatthey do not ride up or bunch up on a user's legs when tucked into theboots.

The pair of protective pants 100 comprise a pair of leg portions 104, apair of cuffs 114, and a pair of straps 116. The pair of leg portions104 is typically manufactured from denim, canvas, polyester, cotton, andthe like, or of any other material used for pants known to one of skillin the art. Each of the pair of leg portions 104 terminate in a bottomedge 106 and comprise a medial side 110 running adjacent to an insideportion of the user's leg and a lateral side 112 running adjacent to anoutside portion of the user's leg. The pair of leg portions 104 bothtypically extend at least two inches below a knee of a user. However, anembodiment is contemplated where the pair of leg portions 104 terminateabove the knee of a user for use with taller boots such as hip wadersfor fishing.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the bottom edges 106 of the pair ofleg portions 104 extend to approximately between four and eight inchesabove a user's ankle. This is desirable as most boots only cover aportion of a user's calf muscle. Therefore, a typical pair of pantscould have approximately between four and eight inches of length removedfrom each leg and have the pair of cuffs 114 and the pair of straps 116added to the legs to create the pair of protective pants 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the pair of cuffs 114 attach to andextend from the bottom edge 106 of one of the pair of leg portions 104.Typically, each of the pair of cuffs 114 are sewn onto the bottom edges106 with a seam 108. However, alternative methods of attachment maycomprise radio frequency welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, andthe like, or any other method of attaching cloth like materials known toone of skill in the art. The pair of cuffs 114 are typicallymanufactured from a cotton polyester blend or other similar materialwith elastic strands, threads, bands, or the like woven into thematerial. The pair of cuffs 114 are form fitting to the users legs likea sock or wristlet of a sweatshirt.

The pair of cuffs 114 are typically long enough to extend from thebottom edges 106 to approximately the user's ankle. In a preferredembodiment where the pair of leg portions 104 each extend toapproximately between four and eight inches above a user's ankle, thepair of cuffs 114 would be between approximately four and eight inchesin length to cover the gap to the user's ankle. However, the length ofthe pair of cuffs 114 may be longer as well to accommodate an embodimentwhere the pair of leg portions 104 are shorter, such as those with thebottom edge 106 extending to just below or above the knee. In thesecases, the pair of cuffs 114 will be sized to cover the distance betweenthe bottom edges 106 to approximately the ankle.

The pair of straps 116 each are typically a band of elastic materialapproximately between ¾ and 1½ inches in width and function as astirrup. The pair of straps 116 each attach to both one of the pair ofleg portions 104 and one of the pair of cuffs 114 so that the pair ofstraps 116 will partially encircle a user's foot once the pair ofprotective pants 100 are worn. To wear the protective pair of pants 100,the user inserts his legs into the pair of leg portions 104, through thepair of cuffs 114, so that a bottom of each foot is in contact one withthe pair of straps 116. The pair of straps 116 prevents the pair ofcuffs 114 and the pair of leg portions 104 from riding up on the legsinside of the boots, while the pair of cuffs 114 fit more comfortablyinto the boots as the cuff material does not require bunching or foldingto fit into the boots.

Each of the pair of straps 116 comprise a pair of ends 118 and a loop120. Preferably, the pair of ends 118 are inserted inside the pair ofcuffs 114, past the level of the seam 108, and into the pair of legportions 104, although they may run along an outside of the pair ofprotective pants 100 as well. One of each of the pair of ends 118 runsapproximately adjacent to the medial side 110, and the other runsapproximately adjacent to the lateral side 112 so that the foot will fitcomfortably into the loop 120. Each of the pair of ends 118 is attachedto the inside of both the corresponding cuff 114 and the leg portion 104for better strength and stability. Attachment is by sewing, or any othermethod of attachment as described supra. Alternatively, each of the pairof ends 118 may be attached only to either the corresponding cuff 114 orthe leg portion 104. Each loop 120 extends out of the corresponding pairof cuffs 114 for engaging to corresponding foot.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof isshown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening Recitation of ranges ofvalues herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variationsof those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorexpects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, andthe inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes allmodifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, anycombination of the above-described elements in all possible variationsthereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicatedherein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pair of protective pants comprising: a pair ofleg portions each terminating in a bottom edge; a pair of cuffs attachedto and extending from the bottom edge of each of the pair of legportions; and a pair of straps each attached to an inside of both one ofthe pair of leg portions and one of the pair of cuffs, each of the pairof straps configured to encircle a user's foot.
 2. The pair ofprotective pants of claim 1, wherein the protective pants comprise oneof the following: a pair of dungarees, a coverall, an overall, a fatiguepants, or a cargo pants.
 3. The pair of protective pants of claim 2,wherein each of the pair of cuffs comprise a form fitting cuffmanufactured from a cotton polyester blend material and elastic strands.4. The pair of protective pants of claim 1, wherein each of the pair ofleg portions extend at least two inches below a user's knee.
 5. The pairof protective pants of claim 4, wherein each of the pair of cuffs extendfrom the bottom edge of the pair of leg portions to approximately auser's ankle.
 6. The pair of protective pants of claim 1, wherein thebottom edge of each of the pair of leg portions terminate above a user'sknee.
 7. A pair of protective pants for use with a pair of bootscomprising: a pair of leg portions extending to below a user's knee eachterminating in a bottom edge; a pair of cuffs attached to the bottomedge of each of the pair of leg portions creating a seam, the pair ofcuffs extending approximately to a user's ankle; and a pair of strapseach attached to an inside of both one of the pair of leg portions andone of the pair of cuffs, each of the pair of straps configured toencircle a user's foot.
 8. The pair of protective pants of claim 7,wherein each of the pair of straps are elastic.
 9. The pair ofprotective pants of claim 7, wherein the pair of straps is a pair ofstirrups.
 10. The pair of protective pants of claim 7, wherein each ofthe pair of straps comprise a pair of ends and a loop.
 11. The pair ofprotective pants of claim 10, wherein each of the pair of cuffs arebetween approximately four and eight inches in length.
 12. The pair ofprotective pants of claim 7, wherein each of the pair of ends terminateon the pair of leg portions above the seam.
 13. The pair of protectivepants of claim 12, wherein the pair of straps are attached to one of thepair of leg portions and one of the pair of cuffs on an inside of theprotective pants.
 14. A pair of protective pants configured not togather up on a user's legs when used in conjunction with a pair ofboots, the pair of protective pants comprising: a pair of leg portionsextending to below a user's knee each terminating in a bottom edge; apair of cuffs attached to the bottom edge of each of the pair of legportions creating a seam, the pair of cuffs extending from below theuser's knee to approximately to a user's ankle; and a pair of strapseach attached to an inside of both one of the pair of leg portions andone of the pair of cuffs, each of the pair of straps configured toencircle a user's foot, wherein each of the pair of straps run alongboth a lateral side of the pair of leg portions and the pair of cuffsand a medial side of the pair of leg portions and the pair of cuffs. 15.The pair of protective pants of claim 14, wherein the pair of straps isa pair of elastic stirrups.
 16. The pair of protective pants of claim15, wherein each of the pair of leg portions extend approximatelybetween four and eight inches above a user's ankle.
 17. The pair ofprotective pants of claim 16, wherein each of the pair of cuffs arebetween approximately four and eight inches in length.
 18. The pair ofprotective pants of claim 17, wherein each of the pair of cuffs comprisea form fitting cuff manufactured from a cotton polyester blend materialand elastic strands.
 19. The pair of protective pants of claim 18,wherein each of the pair of straps comprise a pair of ends and a loop.20. The pair of protective pants of claim 19, wherein each of the pairof ends terminate on the pair of legs above the seam on an inside of thepair of protective pants.